Same place



(No Model.) 3'Sheets-Sheet 2.-

GENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR.

No; 560,626. Patented May 19, 1896.

v M m UNITE STATES-PATENT FFICE.

ORRIN B. PECK, OF oHIo e iLmNoIs, AssieNoR TO MELINDA PEOKJOF SAME PLACE.

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,626, dated May 19, 1896. Application filed March 28, i894. SeriallTO. 505,416. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: throughout the operation,thereby preventing Be it known that I, ORRIN B. PEOK,.a citithe heavier substances from being carried zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, away and discharged with the lighter. At the in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, same time the material is subjected to other 5 have invented a new and useful Improvement varying forces to insure its more perfect sepain Oentrifu gal Separators, of which the folration. I attain these results by mechanism lowing is a specification. illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

My invention relates more particularly to which centrifugal ore-separators, and has for its Figurel is a top plan view of the entire 1o principal object the provision of a process machine. Fig. 2 is a central vertical longi-- and machine for obtaining a more perfect tudinal section through the treatment vessel. separation of lighter from heavier material Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 of while in a iinely-divided state by subjecting Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the it to centrifugal force, varying liquid flow, line 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5' is a sectional detail 6: I 5 and other forces and maintaining the relative on the line 5 of Fig. 1, showing the belt-shiftdegree or proportion of the centrifugal and ing cam. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail on the liquid forces approximately constant during line 6'of Fig. 1, showing the mechanism for the operation. operating the material-feeding valve; and

As is well known, in the passage of a con- Fig. 7 is a similar "iew on the line 7 of Fig. 2o stant quantity of water through a channel or 1 of theliquid-feeding valve. All sections are passage whose sectional area is varied the vetaken in the direction indicated by the arrows. locity of the flow will vary inversely as the Similar letters refer to like parts througharea of the channel, and its kinetic energy out the several views. will consequently be varied as the square of A designates a base-plate, upon which, in 25 its velocity. Therefore if aseparating vessel standards A A, is journaled a supportinghaving its separating-surface forming one frame a, preferably of cylindrical form, and Wall of a channel or passage is rotated with having upon its exterior a belt surface or sufficient rapidity to develop a minimum depulley a by which it is rotated by means of sired intensity of centrifugal force and, as the a belt passing over a pulley B 011 the counter- 30 o material under treatment accumulates on the shaft B, preferably supported on standards 7 separating-surface, a constant quantity of on the base-plate, said counter-shaft being water or other liquid is introduced therewith, driven by a pulley b belted to any source of which at the beginning of the operation depower. veloped by its velocity of flow the impulse Within the outer cylindrical frame is pref- 3 5 necessary to carry away lighter material and erably a light vibratable intermediate or sepallow the heavier to be precipitated and acarating cylinder 0, provided with a separatcumulate, the latter will decrease the area of ing-surfac'e b and yieldingly supported by the channel, resultin gin an increased velocity means of elastic rings 0 0 0 preferably of of flow and 1argely-increased impulse of the rubber, interposed between the exterior of the 4o liquid, thus destroying the ratio of intensity intermediate cylinder and the interior surof the liquid and centrifugal forces, and in face of the supporting-cylinder. The ring C consequence causing some of the heavier maat the feed end has an annular inside groove terial to be carried off with thelighter. To 0, into which the end of the separating-cylinovercome this difficulty, the flow of liquid to derprojects, formingapracticallywater-tight 9 5 45 the treatment vessel is decreased in the same joint and thus preventing the material and degree or proportion as the area of the chanliquid from passing between the cylinders. nel or passage is decreased by the accumula- The rings C C have upon their outer surtion of heavier material. This reduces the face an annular projection c, which engages velocity of flow, and consequently the impulse an annular groove 0 in the interior of the sup- I03 50 of the liquid, and maintains the ratio of inporting-cylinder, thus preventing the longitensity of the forces approximately constant tudinal displacement of the ring during the vibration of the separating-cylinder, which is permitted by the elasticity of the supporting means. These rings are compressed between the cylinders to a sufficient degree to insure their rotating together at approximately the same speed, yet allowing the longitudinal vibratory movement of the separating-cylinder.

At the discharge end of the treatment vessel the separating-cylinder projects beyond the supporting-cylinder and has secured upon its exterior a ring D, 011 which is an annular projection D. Below the treatment vessel is a short shaft (I, supported in a bracket bolted to the base-plate. This shaft has a pulley d, by which it is rotated by a belt from the pulley d on the counter-shaft 13. Upon the other end of the shaft is a wheel E, having upon its surface a cam-groove E,which engages the projection D during its rotation, causing the separating-cylinder to be rapidly slightly reciprocated, imparting thereto shocks or vibrations, thus assisting in the separation of ma terial.

WVithin the separating-cylinder extends the inner preferably hollow agitating cylinder or shaft 0, supported in standards on the baseplate and extending through an adjustable stuffing-box 6, whose packing may be compressed by the threaded gland or plug 6 forming a practically water-tight joint at the feed end of the supporting-cylinder. It is rotated at a different speed from the separating-surface by a cone-pulley J, over which passes a belt J from the cone-pulley J 2 on the countershaft B. This cylinder is divided by a partition 0 into two sections F and F. Into the section F extends a non-rotatable pipe f through a stuffing box f similar to 6. Through this pipe the material to be separated in a finely-divided state and mingled with a liquid, preferably water, is introduced into the section and from there by the orifices f into the separating-cylinder at or near the feed end.

At the opposite end of the inner cylinder into section F extends a non-rotatable pipe G, through a similar stuffing-box G. Through this pipe at liquid, preferably water, is introduced, which passes, preferably, through the hollow projections or tubes 9, screwed or otherwise secured in orifices arranged along the in net cylinder, and flows in jets against the material accumulated on the scparatiug-surface. The impact of these jets aids in separating lighter from heavier material and wholly or partially causing it to become suspended in the liquid for the purpose of discharge, this action being assisted by the agitation imparted to the material by the direct contact of the tubes as they pass through it. The flow of water into the section F is controlled and regulated, as desired, by means of a valve G The inner cylinder is slightly tapered from the feed to the discharge end of the treatment vessel, being smallest at the latter point, thus maintaining practically constant velocity of flow throughout the entire length thereof by increasing the area of the channel or passage in approximately the same ratio as the quantity of liquid is increased by the added number of jets. It also permits the lighter mate rial to expand or move more freely in this portion of the channel at which it is about to be discharged, and also decreases the agita tion produced by the impact of the jets of liquid and the action of the tubes upon accumulated heavy substances by removing them farther from the surface upon which they rest, thus preventing the remingling of the material and insuring more perfect separation.

About the discharge end of the separatingcylinder is a hood II to receive the material flowing therefrom, and to this are connected branch pipes 11 II for receiving the lighter and heavier material, respectively, the entrance thereto being controlled by avalvc 7b, which may be operated as desired. Vithin this hood upon the inner cylinder is preferably placed a circular plate h, secured thereto by a set-screw and being so arranged in proximity to the end of the separating-cylinder that the material discharged therefrom is deflected into the hood, and at the same time the flow from said cylinder is so checked as to allow the material to be submerged in the liquid to attain the suspension of the lighter portion.

For the purpose of varying the feed of liquid and material to the separating-surface and the degree of agitation imparted, the automatic mechanism is preferably used, which will now be described. These actions might, however, be otherwise effectedmanually, if desired.

Upon the extremity of the counter-shaft ll is fixed a friction-disk 1, against which bears a friction wheel or roll 1, adj ustably secured by a set-screw to a short shaft 2', supported in a standard bolted to the base-plate, carrying upon its opposite extremity a gear 1', which meshes with a gear 1' upon the shaft K, suitably supported. Upon this shaft K is a worm K, which engages a worm-wheel K upon a longitudinally-extending shaft 7t. To this shaft are secured a bevel-gear 7c and two cams L L. The cams L L have bearing against their surface-rollers M M upon the ends of the stems m m of the material and liquid feeding valves N N,respectively. The valvestems are supported by the intermediate bracket a and have embracing them spiral springs H n, which bear against the Valves and adjustable collars a 91 secured by setscrews to the stems for the purpose of ad justing the tension of the springs, maintaining the rollers in constant contact with the face of the cams, thus permitting the valves to be periodically opened and closed as the same rotate.

The bevel-gear it" engages a bevel-gear 0 upon the end of a stub-shaft 0, supported in a bracket on-the base-plate. This shaft also carries a cam 0, against the surface of which bears a roller 0 upon the end of a rod P, pass ing through a bracketbolted to the base-plate. Upon this rod is a sleeve P, secured thereto by a set-screw which carries the belt-shifting bar 19, the latter being further supported by a sleeve 1), sliding on the rod Q, and a sleeve 19 sliding freely on the shaft is. This beltshifting bar has at its outer extremities vertically-extending rods Q, which engage the opposite sides of the belt J, causing it to be shifted from one end of the cone-pulleys to the other, thus varying the speed. of rotation of the agitating-cylinder as the rod P is moved back and forth by the rotation of the cam. The roller is held constantly against the face of the cam by a spiral spring q, encirclingthe rod and bearing against the sleeve P and the supporting-bracket. To vary the rate at which these parts are actuated, the friction wheel I may be adjusted toward or from the center of the friction-disk I, thus varying its speed of rotation, and consequently the frequency and length of the periods during which material and liquid are fed, and also the rate of change in the speed of rotation of the agitailing-cylinder.

When a separating vessel or cylinder is used of sufficiently large diameter to permit an accumulation or head of liquid at the receiving end to secure the desired force through the same, the packing-boxes are preferably dispensed with.

The operation of the machine is as follows: In the position in which the elements are shown in the drawings the period of separation has just begun. The valveN is open to its fullest extent, allowing a proper amount of material to be introduced into the treatment vessel, which is being rotated at a speed sufficient to develop the desired centrifugal force, causing it to move toward a position about the outer diameter of said vessel and to be there separated, while the valve N is opened sufficiently to allow liquid enough to flow in with the material to submerge it and allow the lighter to be held in suspension for the purpose of discharge. At the same time the driving-belt J is at the largest diameter of cone-pulley J, rotating the inner cylinder or shaft at its lowest speed. As the separation proceeds and the cams rotate, the material-valve is gradually closed, and as the material accumulates on the separating-surface, decreasing the area of the channel or passage and thus tending to increase the velocity of flow therethrough, the liquid valve is also gradually closed by the increasing radius 'of its cam, decreasing the quantity fed in the same ratio as the area of the channel or passage is being decreased during the operation and thus maintaining the relative degree or proportion of the centrifugal force and the impellent force of the flowing liquid approximately constant, thereby preventing the heavy material from being carried away and discharged with the lighter. The belt J during this period is allowed to remain at the agitation produced by the motion of the tubes and the impact of the jets therefrom. By this means thelighter is partially or wholly separated from the heavier material, suspended in the liquid, passed through the treatment vessel without frictional contact with the separating-surface, and discharged without carrying heavy substances with it. When the points as on each of the cams have come under the rollers on the valve-stems and the belt-shifting bar, this occurring simultaneously, the separation and discharge of the lighter material will have been accomplished and the material-valve is abruptly closed, the liquid-valve widely open and the rapidity of rotation of the agitating means greatly increased, resulting in increased agitation and impellent force of the flow of liquid, dislodging the heavier material and discharging it into the pipe H the valve being properly adjusted to receive it. This con dition and operation of elements continue uniform until the points 3 on the cams come un der the rollers, when the initial condition in the vessel is restored and the period of separation again recommences.

Although the term cylinder has been applied throughout to the three portions of the treatment vessel for the sake of brevity, this form is not absolutely essential to the opera tion of the machine, and any other might be employed by which the desired result would be obtained. It is to be understood in this generic sense in both description and claims.

It is obvious that many changes and modifications in the details of construction of the various parts of the mechanism herein described may be made as desired by the constructor, or to best suit the varied conditions under which the machine is operated, without departure from my invention.

In my applications, Serial Nos. 505,410, 505,413, and 505,418, filed March 28, 1894:, I claim certain features shown and described but not claimed herein.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a cylinder adapted to be continuously rotated at an approximately constant speed, a rotatable agitator therein, and automatic means for varying the speed of said agitator, substantially as described.

2. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a cylinder adapted to be rotated at an approximately constant speed, a shaft or cylinder therein, belt-shifting mechanism for controlling the speed of rotation of said shaft, and a cam for actuating the same, substantially as described.

3. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a cylinder adapted to be rotated at an approximately constant speed, a shaft or cylinder, cams for controlling the supply of material and liquid and speed of rotation of the shaft, and a common adjustable speed-gearing for actuating all the cams, substantially as described.

ORRIN B. PEOK. Vitnesses:

MaL. ALLEN, R. H. GARMAN.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 560,626.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 560,626, granted May 19, 1896, upon the application of Orrin B. Peck, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Gentrifugal Separators, were erroneously issued to Melinda Peck as sole owner of the invention; whereas said Letters Patent should have been issued to The Patent Title Company, of same place, said The Patent Title Company being assignee, by mesne assignments, of the entire interest in said invention, as shown by the assignments of record in this Office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 23d day of June, A. D. 1896.

[sEAL] JNO. M. REYNOLDS,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

Countersigned S. T. FISHER,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

